Enjoy the portfolio of self-taught fiber artist David Poyant, who creates exquisitely detailed embroideries inspired by nature. See more by visiting his website.
“Nathan’s Dream, hand embroidery, 20″ X 20”
My name is David Poyant. I didn’t follow the traditional path to becoming an artist. I’m a cobbler by trade, with a background in shoe repair and handcrafted orthotics. I worked in the trade for 25 years and then completed my professional career in retail.
“Scarlet Macaw” 8″ x 12″ hand embroidery
Handcrafted artistry comes in many forms and provided me multiple pathways in work and art throughout my journey. As I approached retirement, I pondered my next steps. Always one to be working with my hands, I remembered my mother sitting in her chair knitting, cross stitching, and embroidering. She was always stitching something.
“Lionfish” hand embroidery, 12″ x 18″
Therefore, with no formal training, I picked up needles, embroidery threads, and a stretcher at a hobby shop and started sewing. But what do I sew? I began by finding photographers who would allow me to embroider their work, and I haven’t stopped stitching since then. Each thread-paint embroidery is hand stitched on artist canvas using both 1 and 2 strands of embroidery thread. It can take up to 60 hours to complete.
“Portland Head Light” hand embroidery, 12″ x 18″
I have neither a college degree nor any background in advanced art or stitching classes. However, I have always had an eye for design and many experiences in my 68 years of life that inspired me to develop my artwork. I was not shy about showing my thread-paint embroidery pieces to anyone interested while I worked in retail.
“Bald Eagle” hand embroidery, 12″ x 18″
Most of my thread painting pieces were landscapes, trees, and coastal scenes. While working, I met the director of the board at the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She asked if I would be willing to do a thread painting of an animal for the fundraiser at the zoo. The Red Panda was the first of what was to become a series of animals adorning the walls of the zoo. I also created other pieces used to support their fundraising efforts.
“Cougar” hand embroidery, 12″ x 12″
This opened other forums to display my pieces, such as fishing boats for the Fisherman’s Heritage Museum in New Bedford and donations for fundraisers in support of the American Cancer Society.
“Lion” hand embroidery, 12″ x 18″
Handcrafting thread-paint embroidery is a constant reminder that one can find their passion at any time in life. For me, it was at the end of a retail career. Picking up thread and needle, I didn’t know if anyone else besides me would ever see any of my thread paintings later in life.
“White-tailed Eagle Skimming the Water” hand embroidery, 12″ x 20″
I enjoy seeing the reactions people have when they realize they are not looking at a painting. They are amazed to see the stitch-by-stitch effort that went into creating these one-of-a-kind pieces of art. I invite you to enjoy my thread paintings and encourage you to find your passion, whatever it is.